Summertime and the Living's Easy

But that's not what you're looking for; not every week at least!! Grab your friends, your family or your neighbors and spend a week with us this summer building a home for a family in need. We promise, there is no better way that you could spend your week! 

We have opportunities for you to serve in México and Guatemala. So what are you waiting for? Check out your calendar and join us. Our México and Guatemala trips are right around the corner!

June 10th - 14th | Juárez, México

June 23rd - 29th | San Raimundo, Guatemala

June 30th - July 6th | San Raimundo, Guatemala

August 30th - September 2nd | Acuña, México

For more info check out our Team Casas page or e-mail us at questions@casasporcristo.org

"This Love Is Not For Cowards..."

We spent our weekend over President's Day in Juárez, México building a home for a family that lost their husband/father two years ago to murder.  Every person that came to construct this house into a home didn’t just show up, they fought to be here.  They drove across the country with their children and with strangers, standing in their own faith, to show this family an unconventional outpouring of love. They fought to go to a city where no one else wants to go, to give of themselves, to a family that they had never met; but one desperately in need of hope and restoration and a reminder that God has not forgotten about them. We're thankful that this Team Casas crew came together.  We're even more thankful that Berta and her family have a home and a daily reminder that God has not forgotten about them but loves them deeply.

(some scenes from our dedication and weekend build)

Update from Rachel Weller

Team Casas and
Spring Break Prep

This past weekend I got to help lead a Team Casas build with two other staff members. Team Casas builds happen periodically throughout the year and are for those who may not have a team to come down with. Team Casas builds are definitely a unique dynamic where most people on the team have never met anyone else before that week. However, some of my closest relationships I've made through Casas have been on these builds. Within two and a half days, strangers became family as we all worked together to build a home for Berta and her family. Berta was a single mother struggling to make ends meet since her husband was killed two years ago. It was such a blessing to be the hands and feet of Christ to provide for her in difficult times. It was also good for me to go out and build because I had forgotten some aspects of the construction process and I need to be ready to lead teams on my own by March. 

One night we got back from the worksite early so we went for a walk to try to find some hamburguesas (this is the Mexican version of a hamburger typically with ham, avacado, sliced hot dogs, and other toppings depending on who makes them). No hamburguesas were to be found but we did come across a fruit and drink stand. Jorge (one of the team members) bought a Sodasrusa (Russian soda). I can't tell you everything that went into this drink but it was so fun watching them make it. She poured tons of chili power in it so I passed on trying that one as I am not a fan of chili powder mixed with fruit.  Right next to the Sodarusa stand was a coconut and pineapple stand. The woman who owned the stand would take the coconuts off to the side and hack at them with a machete until she had made a small hole in the top. She then squeezed a bit of lime into the coconut and placed a couple straws in the hole to drink the juice out of the middle. There is nothing like walking down the dirt roads of Juarez with people drinking out of whole coconuts. It was one of the most fun expeditions I've had in Mexico by far!

 

Now I'm back in the office for the next two weeks preparing for the craziness of spring break around here. We currently are planning on building 39 houses in the month of March, which has some staff out building for 4 weeks in a row. I'm planning on leading two builds in Juarez so far with a potential third to be added this week. I definitely cannot be a procrastinator anymore with how the next couple months are looking. Thankfully, I found a little netbook on clearance two weeks ago and have been able to be super productive with writing papers and getting ahead in classes on my weekends and days off of work.   

I'm continuing to raise support to be able to officially go on staff. My awesome supporters are helping to give $575 a month out of my $2,000 per month goal and I thank everyone who has supported me financially, emotionally and spiritually thus far. Support raising is a period that can become very frustrating but I'm choosing to trust that God will continue to provide if it is His will for me to serve him with Casas por Cristo. 

If you wish to help support me in my ministry with Casas por Cristo, you can do that through our GIVE DIRECT site and choose 5472 Support: Rachel Weller in the Program area field. Checks also can be sent to PO Box 971070, El Paso, TX 79997 with my name in the Memo line.

As well as e-mail updates, I'm going to be posting stories and pictures on facebook, twitter (@rachelmweller), instagram (@rachelmweller), and will be using my blog at http://rachelweller.blogspot.com/ (I promise the blog will happen... 10 page papers come before blog posts right now)

Last but not least, I LOVE hearing from you! It has made the distance much easier seeing valentine's day cards in my mailbox, sitting in Starbucks having skype dates (we don't have internet at our apartment so I'm the awkward girl chilling in the corner of public places talking to my computer) or getting encouraging facebook messages from friends. - Rachel

Keep up with all of our staff missionaries as they update their supporters about Casas por Cristo and their work here!

Opportunities to Serve

Every week of the year we have opportunities for you to be involved in our work in México and Guatemala.  However, we know that you don't always have the time or the commitment from others to create a team and organize a build on your own.  For that reason, we want you to know of other opportunities that you have to serve with us throughout the year.

We have trips scheduled in every city in which we build, specifically over long weekends or holidays, so that you can come as an individual and build with a team that we organize. We cover the details of food, transportation and everything else that you need.  All you have to do is get to where we are.  Those trips are called Team Casas. We want you to know our schedule for 2013 so that you can plan to join us throughout the year!

2013 Team Casas Schedule

February 15th-18th | Juárez, México

  June 10th - 14th | Juárez, México

  June 23rd - 29th | San Raimundo, Guatemala

  June 30th - July 6th | San Raimundo, Guatemala

  August 30th - September 2nd | Acuña, México

  October 14th-17th | Juárez, México

  December 27th - 30th | Acuña, México

  December 29, 2013 - January 4, 2014 | San Raimundo, Guatemala

We also provide opportunities throughout the year for internships.  This is for anyone that has come on a build with us and wants to take it a step further by learning to lead teams and build homes in México or Guatemala.  Right now we are still looking for interns for Summer 2013! For more information, check out the link below.

Intern

When: May-August 2013

What: Leading teams, building homes and office responsibilities

Where: San Raimundo, Guatemala or Juárez & Acuña, México

Who: Anyone 20yrs or older that has been on at least one Casas build

Application Deadline: April 1st, 2013

Check out our full Beyond Building magazine here

We Need YOU!!!

FEBRUARY 15th-18th, you have the opportunity to change lives! Would you consider coming to build with us over President's Day weekend? We're doing a Team Casas build for the González family in Juárez, MX and we need 6 more people to join us. Maybe you are who we are waiting for!

Berta González (27), Jesus Mendez (27), Laura (8), Itzel (6), and Keloin (1) are in desperate need of a home. Both Berta and Jesus are currently out of work. Trying to purchase the basic needs for their family has left them completely unable to use any resources to build adequate housing. In these cold winter months would you come help the Gonzalez's meet their needs?

Where: Juárez, México

Cost: $500 per person ages 12 and up / $100 per child ages 0-11

At least 12 individuals need to register 30 days prior to trip start date for a trip to be confirmed. Individuals are also responsible for transportation, food, and lodging in the United States.

For more information follow this link, contact us at 1.800.819.8014, or email Jessica at jselburg@casasporcristo.org.

Team Casas

We need YOU!

In both Guatemala and México, you have the opportunity to give the gift of a lifetime this Christmas. After celebrating with your family, would you consider giving to another? Two families are waiting and praying to receive a home this holiday season.

In Guatemala, Jose Boror (26) and his wife Sonia (23) have no way to provide a safe shelter and home for their young daughter Leidi (2). Our prayer is that this little girl will grow up in a home were she always knows that the body of Christ came to provide for her.

Where: San Raymundo, Guatemala
When: December 30th-January 5th
Cost: $675 per person / not including airfare to Guatemala City
Deadline: November 16, 2012

In Acuña, México, Maria Rodriguez (56) and her son Edgar (10) live in a single parent household and currently have no means of income besides donations from others. With no way to provide a Christmas for her son this year, we can't imagine a better gift for them both; not from us, but through us. What better way to celebrate what this holiday is truly about?!

Where: Acuña, México
When: December 27th-30th
Cost: $500 per person / not including travel to Del Rio, Texas
Deadline: November 16, 2012

For more information check out this link: Team Casas

Opportunities to SERVE

Has it been a while since your last Casas por Cristo trip? Were some of your best memories made giving a home to a family in need? Then we have good news for you! 

We just added a new date for Team Casas Guatemala! Ring in the New Year with fireworks, perfect weather and changing a family's life forever. Reserve your spot right now. The trip is December 30th through January 5th. 

Want to come build but can't make it that week? We have nine trips to choose from right now and will be adding more soon. Stop putting it off and come with us. You will not regret it!  Register Now 

**We also have a special build with a group that needs a few extra hands. Contact us now if you are interested in joining up October 15th through the 18th 2012 to help a family receive a home.**

Mark your calendars for 2012 & 2013 trips!

2012 Team Casas Trips

August 31st - September 3rd | Acuña, México 

October 5th - 8th | Juárez, México 

December 27th - 30th | Acuña, México

December 30th - January 5th | San Raimundo, Guatemala

2013 Team Casas Trips

February 15th-18th | Juárez, México 

June 10th - 14th | Juárez, México 

June 23rd - 29th | San Raimundo, Guatemala 

June 30th - July 6th | San Raimundo, Guatemala 

August 30th - September 2nd | Acuña, México